Cyber defenders race against the clock as Curtin Malaysia launches CTF Hackathon

Miri, Sarawak – 6 December 2025 – The battle for Malaysia’s brightest cyber talents kicked off this morning as Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) opened its highly anticipated third annual Capture The Flag (CTF) Hackathon – its largest digital showdown yet.

Running non-stop for 24 hours from 10 am today until 10 am tomorrow, the online competition has drawn a record 207 participants from institutions across the country, all gearing up to crack codes, outsmart cyber puzzles, and secure top honours in one of Malaysia’s most dynamic student-led cybersecurity events.

Hosted by Curtin Malaysia’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and co-organised with the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), this year’s edition marks a significant leap forward, officially branded as Hackathon 3.0. The upgraded format reflects the university’s expanding role in nurturing hands-on cybersecurity capabilities through gamified, real-world simulations.

Generous sponsorship from Sarawak Information Systems Sdn. Bhd. (SAINS) has allowed the competition to scale up with tougher challenges and enhanced infrastructure, strengthening its reputation as a national platform for upskilling future cyber defenders.

Participants are competing through a dedicated CTF platform featuring a diverse slate of challenges spanning web security, reverse engineering, open-source intelligence (OSINT), cryptography, and digital forensics.

Teams must locate hidden digital ‘flags’ under intense timed pressure, mirroring real-world cybersecurity incident response and penetration testing workflows.
More than 200 registered participants attended a comprehensive Orientation Session on 30 November, ensuring every team entered today’s event prepared for the demanding 24-hour marathon.

A total prize pool of over RM6,000 awaits the winners. First to third place winners will receive RM2,500, RM1,500 and RM1,000 respectively, while four consolation winners will walk away with RM250 each.

All participants will receive nationwide digital certificates acknowledging their effort and commitment.

In her officiating remarks during the virtual opening ceremony, Dr. Bridgid Chin Lai Fui, Associate Dean of Research and Development at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science, emphasised the growing urgency of cybersecurity skills in Malaysia’s digital economy. She commended the sharp rise in participation, calling it a clear indicator of youth enthusiasm for cyber defence.

Event coordinator Dr. Sivaraman Eswaran, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security, reinforced the event’s real-world relevance.

“With cyberattacks increasing in both volume and sophistication, CTF competitions remain one of the most effective ways to develop practical cybersecurity talent. Participants get to analyse malware artefacts, break encryption logic, investigate evidence dumps, and test exploit chains in a safe, controlled environment. Curtin Malaysia’s 2025 competition directly strengthens the national cyber talent pipeline,” he said.

Joining Dr. Sivaraman on the coordination team are Foad Motalebi, Dr. Wong Wei Kitt, and Dr. Chew Ing Ming, all key contributors to the event’s technical and academic rigour.

The public can track team rankings in real time via the live scoreboard, updated throughout the 24-hour challenge, at curtinctfmy.ctfd.io/scoreboard. For ongoing updates and full event details, visit the official competition page on the Curtin Malaysia website.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Curtin Malaysia Capture The Flag (CTF) Hackathon 2025.

Scoreboard Snapshot of the Top 10 Teams – Curtin CTF 2025 v3.0 as of 6pm (December 6).